The News Craving
Srinagar:
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has expressed optimism that the much-awaited “Business Rules” for the Union Territory will be finalised and released by the end of December or early January.
Speaking to the media in Jammu, Abdullah noted that efforts are focused on ensuring clarity in the framing of these rules, which will delineate the roles and responsibilities of the Chief Minister, Cabinet, Ministers, Administrative Secretaries, and other officials. Reports indicate that the Lieutenant Governor’s powers have already been outlined.
Addressing concerns over delays, the Chief Minister assured that significant progress has been made and reiterated his confidence in the timely release of the rules. He also addressed questions regarding the expansion of his Cabinet, which currently consists of only five Ministers managing multiple departments. “It is my responsibility,” Abdullah remarked, hinting that a Cabinet expansion is on the horizon.
Refuting opposition criticism of his government’s performance, Abdullah emphasized that his administration would present a comprehensive report card at the end of its five-year tenure. “The people gave us five years—not five days or five months,” he stated firmly.
The Chief Minister also defended the reinstatement of the bi-annual Darbar Move, a tradition of relocating the Civil Secretariat between Jammu and Srinagar every six months. The practice, rooted in the Dogra era, had been discontinued in 2021 but has since been revived. Abdullah criticized the BJP for halting the practice, accusing the party of undermining Jammu’s historical legacy.
